Apparatus for filling moving containers

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers in which the product is supplied to a stationary head overlying the containers and valve members are mounted on the stationary head for reciprocatory movement relative thereto in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of the conveyor, the valve members having ports therein and a valve operating mechanism for moving the valve members in a forward stroke with the ports in register to dispense product into a moving container and in a return stroke with the ports out of registry to interrupt dispensing of product during the return stroke.

Anderson I Oct.2, 1973 i 1 APPARATUS FOR FILLING MOVING CONTAINERS [76] Inventor: Ralph F. Anderson, 332 Calvin Park Blvd., Rockford, Ill.

22 Filed: Nov. 19,1971

211 Appl. No.: 200,441

521 US. Cl 141/186, 222/485, 251/212 [51] Int. Cl... B6Sb 1/04, B65b 39/14, B65b 43/52 [58] Field of Search 141/99, 103, 137, 141/188, 186, 183, 250, 261; 222/485; 251/212 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS l ,79l,6ll '2/1931 Borchert 141/103 Primary Examiner-J0hn Petrakes Assistant ExaminerFrederick R. Schmidt A1l0rneyVernon J. Pillote [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers in which the product is supplied to a stationary head overlying the containers and valve members are mounted on the stationary head for reciprocatory movement relative thereto in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of the conveyor, the valve members having ports therein and a valve operating mechanism for moving the valve members in a forward stroke with the ports in register to dispense product into a moving container and in a return stroke with the ports out of registry to interrupt dispensing of product during the return stroke.

20 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 2l 75 sum 2 UF 4 PATENTED 21 73 SHEET 3 OF 4 PATENTEUUCI 2mm sum u UF 4 APPARATUS FOR FILLING MOVING CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various different dispensing apparatus have heretofore been made for dispensing product into moving containers. In one type of apparatus such as shown in the U.S. Pat. to Williams et al. No. 3,362,441 dated Jan. 9, 1968, the product supply reservoir and the dispensing heads are mounted for reciprocatory movement in a direction paralleling the path of movement of the containers on the conveyor to dispense product into the moving containers. However, the overall weight of the product supply reservoir, the product, and the dispensing heads is quite high and difficulties are encountered in reciprocating such a large mass at high speeds as is required for high speed filling of moving containers. In another form of apparatus for dispensing material into moving containers such as shown in the U.S. Pat. to Weprin et al. No. 3,530,636, the product supply reservoir is stationary and is connected through flexible hoses to a dispensing head mounted for reciprocation lengthwise of the path of movement of the containers. This reduces the weight of the portion of the dispensing apparatus which is reciprocated during dispensing into the moving containers and allows higher speed operation than the previously described apparatus. However, the flexing of the hoses which connect the reciprocating dispensing head to the product supply reservoir causes fluctuations in the rate at which product is dispensed from the moving head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers and includes a stationary head overlying the path of movement of the containers and having a product supply passage communicating with a product supply source. A first valve member having at least one discharge valve port is slidably mounted on the head for reciprocation in a direction paralleling the path of movement of the containers and has chamber means forming a sliding seal between the movable valve member and the stationary head and which communicates the discharge valve port with the product supply passage. A second valve member is mounted for movement relative to the first valve member and an operating means cyclically reciprocates the first valve member in forward return strokes in timed relation with the movement of the containers and also operates to move the second valve member relative to the first valve member to open the discharge valve port during the forward stroke of the first valve member and close the discharge valve port during the return stroke. The dispensing head can advantageously utilize multiple discharge valve ports arranged to simultaneously dispense product into several endwise adjacent containers as they are advanced along the path.

An important object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for dispensing product into moving containers and which minimizes the weight of the parts of the dispensing apparatus which must be reciprocated during the dispensing cycle.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for dispensing product into moving containers which avoids flexing of the product supply lines which lead to the dispensing head.

A more particular object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for dispensing product into moving containers including a stationary dispensing head having a product supply passage therein and movable valve members mounted for reciprocation relative to the stationary dispensing head to provide a dispensing orifice which travels forwardly with the containers during one stroke of the valve members and which closes the dispensing orifice during the return stroke.

These, together with other objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a container filling machine embodying the dispensing apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane 22 of FIG. 1 and showing parts of the dispensing apparatus on a larger scale than FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on the plane 33 of FIG. I and showing the parts of the filling machine on a larger scale than FIG.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the dispensing apparatus taken on the plane 44 of FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are longitudinal sectional views through the dispensing apparatus illustrating the parts of the dispensing apparatus in different moved positions.

The filling machine in general includes a conveyor 10 for advancing containers in uniform spaced succession past a filling station and a dispensing apparatus 11 at the filling station for dispensing product into the moving containers. Product from a product supply source such as a hopper I2 is supplied to the dispensing apparatus 11.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the conveyor 10 is conveniently of the endless type including a plurality of pockets 15 interconnected as by articulated links or chains 14 and arranged to receive and advance containers along a path past the dispensing apparatus 11. The chains 14 are entrained over sprockets l6 and 17 rotatably supported at opposite ends of frame members 18, and the chains are conveniently provided with rollers 19 which rest on and are supported by inwardly extending rails 18a on the frame members 18. The conveyor 10 is driven in'continuous fashion to advance the containers and, as shown in FIG. 1, a drive motor 20 is arranged to drive a main drive shaft 21 which is drivingly connected as through a sprocket and chain drive 22, right angle drive unit 23, and chain 24 to one of the conveyor sprockets 16. The containers C can be deposited in the conveyor pockets 15 by hand or by a suitable apparatus (not shown) for advance past the dispensing apparatus and the containers, after filling, can have covers applied by hand or by suitable apparatus, also not shown. Container depositing and cover applying apparatus suitable for use with the filling machine are well known and form no part of the present invention.

The dispensing apparatus 11 includes a stationary dispensing head 31, (FIGS. 2 and 4-6) a first valve member 32 slidably mounted on the dispensing head for reciprocation in a direction paralleling the path of movement of the conveyor to define a travelling dispensing orifice, and a second valve member 33 which is mounted for movement relative to the first valve member and relative to the stationary head between a position uncovering the dispensing orifice during the forward stroke of the first valve member and a position closing the dispensing orifice during the return stroke. The filling apparatus can be arranged to dispense product into only one container at a conveyor in which event it is necessary to move the valve members in their forward and return strokes during the time the conveyor advances the containers a distance corresponding to the pitch of one container. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, however, the dispensing head and valves are arranged to simultaneously dispense product into two adjacent containers during the forward stroke of a valve member. With this arrangement, the valve members can be reciprocated at a lower speed and can dispense product into moving containers during a major portion of the time that the containers are advanced a distance corresponding to their length.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and 4 the stationary dispensing head 31 is mounted as by rearwardly extending brackets 36 on a stationary upright housing 37 disposed alongside the conveyor 10. The dispensing head has two product supply passages 41 and 41a therein which respectively communicate through conduits 42, 42a with the product supply source such as the reservoir 12. The dispensing head has downwardly opening dispensing chambers 43, 43a therein that communicate with the respective supply passages 41, 41a and which have a length which preferably corresponds generally to the pitch of the containers C along the coneyor 10. The first valve member 32 is in the form of an elongated plate which has two dispensing orifices 44, 44a therein spaced apart a distance corresponding to the pitch of the containers along the conveyor, and which dispensing orifices respectively communicate with the dispensing chambers 43, 43a during reciprocation of the valve member 32 relative to the dispensing head. The valve member 32 is mounted to have a sliding seal with the underside of the dispensing head 31 and, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, a seal ring 46 is disposed in a groove 47 around the dispensing chambers 43 and 43a to form a sliding seal between the valve member and dispensing head around the dispensing chambers. Valve member 33 is also preferably in the form of a plate and is herein shown mounted to underlie the valve member 32. Valve member 33 is supported for reciprocatory movement relative to the valve member 32 in a direction paralleling the path of movement of the valve member 32 to uncover the dispensing ports 44, 44a during the forward stroke of the valve member 32 and to cover the dispensing ports during the return stroke. In the preferred embodiment shown, valve member 33 has ports 48, 48a therein which are also spaced apart a distance corresponding to the pitch of the containers along the conveyor and which are arranged to register with the dispensing ports 44, 44a respectively during the forward stroke of the valve member 32 and to move out of register with those ports during the return stroke of the valve member 32. Valve members 32 and 33 are supported for sliding movement relative to the dispensing head and relative to each other by guide rails 51 which extend along opposite sides of the valve members and which have inwardly directed support flanges 50 that underlie the lower valve member 33. The guide rails are conveniently secured to the dispensing head as by fasteners 52. Apparatus is provided for reciprocating the valve members 32 and 33 in forward and return strokes in timed relation with the movement of the containers and in such a manner that the dispensing valve ports 44, 44a are uncovered during the forward stroke to dispense product into the containers and are closed during the return stroke to prevent dispensing of product into the containers. In the embodiment illustrated, the valves are operated by a crank arm 55 having a shaft 56 (FIG. 4) rotatably supported in a bearing 57 mounted on the housing 37. The crank shaft 56 is connected through a right angle drive unit 58, (FIG. 3) sprocket 59 and chain 60 to a sprocket (not shown) on a jack shaft 62. Shaft 62 is in turn drivingly connected through sprocket 63, chain 64 and sprocket 65 to the main drive shaft 21, an adjustable idler sprocket 66 being provided to maintain chain tension.

A connecting rod 71 has one end connected by a pin 72 to the outer end of the crank arm and the other end connected by a pin 73 (FIG. 2) to a bracket 74 that is rigidly secured to one of the valve plates, herein shown as the lower valve plate 33. The crank arm 55 operates during each revolution to reciprocate the lower valve plate through a forward and a return stroke. Apparatus is also provided for moving the valve member 32 in forward and return strokes in timed relation with the movement of the valve member 33 so that the valve ports are in register during the forward stroke and are out of register during the return strokes. One suitable apparatus is disclosed wherein valve member 32 is operated by a mechanism carried by valve member 33. As best shown in FIGS. 2-4, a latch member 81 is connected by a resilient leaf spring 82 to the leading end 33a of the valve member 33. The spring 82 normally urges the latch member 81 to a position engaging a stop face 32a on the leading end of the valve member 32 so that, during a portion of the forward movement of valve member 33, the latch 81 will engage and move the valve member 32 with the valve member 33. The

ports 44, 44a and 48, 48a are positioned on the respective valve members 32 and 33 such that the ports are in register when the latch member 81 engages the end face 320. Thus, the ports 44, 44a are uncovered during forward motion of the valve members 32 and 33 to allow dispensing of product into the containers. The spring 82 also supports the latch member 81 for limited vertical movement relative to valve member 33 and provision is made for shifting the latch member 81 out of engagement with the valve member 32 before the valve member 33 reaches the end of its forward stroke to thereby allow relative movement between the valve members 33 and 32 to shut off flow through the ports 44, 440. For this purpose, cam faces 84 are provided on the ends of the inwardly extending ledges 50 on the stationary head, which cam faces are arranged to engage laterally extending fingers 81a (FIGS. 2 and 4) on the latch member 81 to cam the latch member downwardly before the valve member 33 reaches the end of its forward stroke to disengage the latch member 81 from the valve member 32. Valve member 32 then stops and valve member 33 continues forward movement relative to valve member 32 to shut off flow through the ports 44, 440. Stop faces 32b are preferably provided on the valve member 32 at a location to engage the stationary head 31 when the valve member 32 reaches the limit of its forward stroke, to positively stop the valve member against further forward movement.

At the end of the forward stroke of valve member 33, the crank begins driving the valve member in its return stroke and a second latch apparatus is provided for engaging the valve member 32 during the return stroke of valve member 33 to move the valve member 32 with the valve member 33 in a return stroke with the valve ports out of register to prevent flow during the return stroke. The second latch apparatus includes a latch member 85 supported by a leaf spring 86 on the trailing end of the valve member 33. The spring 86 yieldably urges the latch member 85 upwardly so that, at the end of the forward stroke of valve member 32, latch 85 can move into position adjacent the end face 320 on the valve member 32. Latch member 85 will then move the valve member 32 with the valve member 33 in a return stroke and, as the valve member 33 approaches the end of its return stroke, cam faces 84a on the rails 50 engage laterally extending fingers 85a on the latch member 85 to cam the latch member downwardly out of engagement with the valve member 32. Forward move ment of the valve member 32 is then interrupted and valve member 33 continues retracting movement relative to valve member 32 so as to again move the ports and the valve members into register. A positive stop face 32d is preferably provided on the trailing end of the valve member 32 to engage the stationary head 31 at the end of the return stroke of valve member 32.

It will be understood from the above that the filling apparatus is generally adapted for use in dispensing fluent material into moving containers and can be used with filling apparatus having various different arrangements for controlling the amount of material dispensed such as volumetric fillers, time control fillers, weight fillers, etc. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing apparatus is applied to a filler having a volumetric control. More particularly, a pair of measuring cylinders 95, 95a (FIGS. 1 and 3) each individual to one of the product supply lines 42, 42a have pistons 96 slidable therein and a three-way valve mechanism 97 arranged to alternately communicate the measuring cylinder with the supply reservoir and with the respective product supply lines. The pistons 96 and valve members 97 are operated in timed relation with the movement of the conveyor and hence with the movement of the dispensing mechanism as by a chain drive 98 connected to a sprocket (not shown) on the jack shaft 62 and to a sprocket 99 on a volumetric filler drive mechanism 100 for operating the pistons and valve members of the volumetric filler in timed relation with the movement of the valve members 32, 33 of the dispensing apparatus. The details of the drive mechanism 100 for the volumetric filler form no part of the present invention and may, for example, be of the type disclosed in the aforementioned U. S. Pat. to Williams et al. No. 3,362,441. In general, the timing of the movement of the measuring pistons is arranged so that the three-way valve members 97 communicate the respective measuring cylinder 95, 950 with the product supply lines 42, 42a when the measuring pistons 96 are moved in their dispensing stroke and the dispensing valve members 32, 33 are moved forwardly. Conversely, when the dispensing valve members 32 and 33 are moved in their return stroke, the three-way valves 97 are moved to a position communicating the respective measuring cylinders 95, 95a with the supply reservoir 12 and the measuring piston '96 is moved in its intake stroke to draw a new charge of material into the measuring cylinder. As

morefully disclosed in the aforementioned Williams patent, the stroke of the measuring pistons 96 is selectively adjustable to vary the quantity of material discharged.

OPERATION The motor 20, when energized, operates to drive the conveyor 10 continuously to advance containers in continuous fashion past the dispensing station, and the motor also drives the operating mechanism for the dispensing valves 32 and 33 in timed relation with the conveyor. In the disclosed arrangement utilizing dual dispensing orifices arranged to simultaneously dispense product in two adjacent containers, the crank 55 is driven to complete on revolution in the time that the conveyor advances the containers a distance equal to twice the pitch of the containers along the conveyor.

At the beginning of the forward stroke of the valve members 32, 33, the valve members are positioned as shown in FIG. 7 with the ports 48, 48a in valve member 33 registering with ports 44, 44a in valve member 32. As valve member 33 moves in its forward stroke, the latch member 81 engages and advances the valve member 32 with the valve member 33, and with the ports 44, 48 and 44a, 48a in register, to dispense product into the two adjacent containers as they are advanced by the conveyor as shown in FIG. 4. Before the valve member 33 reaches the end of its forward stroke, the cams 84 engage the fingers 81a on the latch member 81 to move the latch member out of engagement with the valve member 32 and the stop 32b on valve member 32 engages the dispensing head to stop forward movement of valve member 32. Valve member 33 then continues forward movement relative to valve member 32 to the position shown in FIG. 5 with the ports 48, 48a in the valve member 33 out of register with the ports 44, 44a in valve member 32, to shut off flow. Before valve member 33 commences its return stroke, latch member 85 moves upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 5 so as to engage the trailing end 32c of the valve member 32 and, during the initial portion of the return stroke of valve member 33, the latch member 85 moves the valve member 32 with the valve member 33, but with the ports 48, 48a in the valve member 33 out of register with the ports 44, 44a. Before valve member 33 reaches the end of its return stroke, the cams 84a engage the fingers 85a on latch member 85 to cam the latch member out of engagement with the valve member 32 as shown in FIG. 6. Stop face 32d on valve member 32 engages the dispensing head to stop further retraction of valve member 32 so that, as valve member 33 moves through the final portion of its return stroke, it moves relative to valve member 32 to a position in which the ports in the valve members are again in register, as shown in FIG. 7, ready to commence a succeeding dispensing cycle. 7

With the dual dispensing arrangement disclosed, product can be dispensed into the moving containers during the time the containers are advanced a distance corresponding to their length. The chambers 43, 43a in the dispensing head are preferably to have a length approximating the length of the open top containers and valve member 33 is moved relative to the dispensing head through a dispensing stroke that is shorter than the length of the chambers 43 by an amount approximately equal to the width of the dispensing orifices 44. Thus, at one end of the stroke of valve member 33, the

dispensing orifices are located adjacent one end of the dispensing chambers as shown in FlGS. 6 and 7 and at the other end of the stroke of valve member 32, the dispensing orifices are located adjacent the other end of the dispensing chamber as shown in FIG. 5.

Valve member 33 moves through a relatively longer stroke than valve member 32 by an amount at least equal to the width of the orifices 44, 44a so that the valve member 33 can move to a position terminating flow through the orifices. As will be seen, dispensing of the product into the containers commences after the valve member 32 is fully retracted to the position shown in FIG. 6 and the valve member 33 continues its return movement to open the ports 44, 44a. In addition, dispensing of product continues not only during the entire forward stroke of valve member 32, but also after the valve member 32 reaches the end of its forward stroke until the valve member 33 has moved for wardly relative to the valve member 32 to terminate flow through the ports 44, 44a. This allows dispensing of product through a major portion of each cycle. In addition, it will be seen that the shut-off of flow through the ports 44, 44a occurs as the valve member 33 moves forwardly in the direction of movement of the containers by the conveyor.

While a single embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in uniform succession in a forward direction along a path and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location therealong and having a product supply passage therein, a first valve member having at least one discharge valve port therein and slidably mounted on said stationary head member for reciprocatory movement relative thereto forwardly and rearwardly respectively in said forward direction of movement of the containers and opposite said forward direction, said stationary head member and said first valve member having chamber means at the adjacent faces thereof communicating said discharge valve port and said product supply passage during reciprocatory movement of said first valve member relative to the stationary head member and providing a sliding seal between said stationary head member and said first valve member around said chamber means, a second valve member mounted for movement relative to said first valve member and relative to said stationary head member between an open position uncovering said discharge valve port and a closed position closing said discharge valve port, and valve operating means operated in timed relation with said conveyor means and cyclically operative to sequentially: relatively move said first and second valve members to said open position; then move said first and second valve members while in said open position thereof forwardly relative to said stationary head member in a forward stroke which is longer than the length of the discharge valve port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path at a rate to maintain said discharge valve port in register with an open top container advanced by said conveyor means; then relatively move said first and second valve members to said closed position; and thereafter move said first and second valve members while in said closed position thereof rearwardly relative to said head member in a return stroke.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member between said open and closed positions in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first valve member.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve member is slidable in said forward direction relative to said first valve member to said closed position and is slidable in the opposite direction relative to the first valve to said open position.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member and is slidable relative thereto in a direction paralleling said path.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first valve member has plural discharge valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the conveyor means a distance approximating the pitch of the containers along the conveyor means, said second valve member being operative in said open position to uncover said plural discharge valve ports and in said closed position to close said plural discharge valve ports.

6. In an apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in said uniform succession in a forward direction along a path and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location therealong and having a product supply passage therein, a first valve member having at least one discharge valve port therein and slidably mounted on said stationary head member for reciprocatory movement relative thereto forwardly and rearwardly respectively in said forward direction of movement of the containers and opposite said forward direction, said stationary head member and first valve member having chamber means at the adjacent faces thereof communieating said discharge valve port and said product supply passage during reciprocatory movement of said first valve member relative to the stationary head member and providing a sliding seal between said stationary head member and said first valve member around said chamber means, a second valve member mounted for sliding movement relative to said first valve memeber and relative to said stationary head member and having at least one control valve port therein, and valve operating means operated in timed relation with the movement of said conveyor means for cyclically moving said first and second valve members first relative to each other to a position in which said discharge valve port and control valve port are in register; secondly substantially in union relative to said stationary head member in said forward direction with said discharge valve port and control valve port in register in a forward stroke to dispense product into a moving container; thirdly relative to each other to a closed position in which said discharge valve port and control valve port are out of register, and thereafter substantially in union relative to said stationary head member in a direction opposite said forward direction with said discharge valve port and control port out of register to interrupt dispensing of product during the return stroke of the valve members. v

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first and second valve members relative to said head between a position in which said discharge valve port and control valve port are in register and a position in which said discharge valve port and control valve ports are out of register.

8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member and is slidable forwardly relative to said first valve member from a position in which the discharge port and control valve port are in register to a position in which the discharge valve port and control valve port are out of register.

9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first valve member relative to the head, said valve operating means including means connected to said second valve member for reciprocating the second valve member in forward and return movements relatively longer than said forward and return strokes of said valve members, means for moving said first valve member with said second valve member during a portion of each of the forward and return movements of said second valve member, and means for interrupting movement of said first valve member with the second valve member before the latter reaches the end of its forward and return movements to move the second valve member relative to the first valve member.

10. The combination of claim 9 including product measuring means communicating with said product supply passage operativein timed relation with the movement of said first valve member for feeding a measured quantity of product to said head during said forward stroke of said valve members.

11. The combination of claim 6 wherein said first valve member has plural discharge valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the conveyor means approximating the pitch of the containers along the conveyor means, and said second valve member has plural control valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the conveyor means a distance approximating the spacing of said discharge valve ports.

12. In an apparatus for dispensing a fluent product ,into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in succession in a forward direction along a path, and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location thereabove, said head member having at least one downwardly opening filler chamber and product supply means communicating with said chamber for supplying product thereto, a first valve member slidably mounted for reciprocatory movement relative to said stationary head member forwardly and rearwardly respectively in said forward direction of movement of the containers and opposite said forward direction, said first valve member extending across said downwardly opening filler chamber and having a sliding seal with said head member,-said first valve member having at least one discharge valve port therein arranged to communicate with said filler chamber as said first valve member is moved relative to said head, a second valve member mounted for movement relative to said first valve member and relative to said stationary head between an open position uncovering said discharge valve port and a closed position closing said discharge valve port, and valve operating means cyclically operated in timed relation with said conveyor means and cyclically operative to sequentially: relatively move said first and second valve members to said open position; then move said first and second valve members while in said open position thereof in said forward direction relative to said stationary head member in a forward dispensing stroke which is longer than the length of the discharge valve port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path and at a rate to maintain the discharge valve port in register with an open top container advanced by the conveyor means; then relatively move said first and second valve members to said closed position; and thereafter move said first and second valve members while in said closed position thereof relative to said stationary head member in a direction opposite said forward direction in a return stroke.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first valve member.

14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member and is slidable relative to the first valve member between said open and closed positions.

15. The combination of claim 12 wherein said second valve member is mounted for sliding movement relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of the first valve member and said valve operating means is operated to move said second valve member in said forward direction relative to said first valve member to its closed position and operative to move said second valve member in a direction opposite said forward direction relative to said first valve member to said open position.

16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member.

17. The combination of claim 12 wherein said valve operating means includes crank means rotated in timed relation with said conveyor means.

18. The combination of claim 12 wherein said first valve member has plural discharge valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction paralleling the conveyor means a distance approximating the pitch of the containers on the conveyor means, said second valve member being operative in said open position thereof to uncover all of said discharge valve ports and in said closed position thereof to close all of said discharge valve ports.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said stationary head member has plural filler chambers arranged to communicate with corresponding said discharge valve ports in the first valve member and separate product supply means communicate with each of said filler chambers.

20. In an apparatus for dispensing fluent product into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in uniform succession in a forward direction along a path and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location therealong and having at least one downwardly opening filler chamber and product supply means communicating with said filler chamber for supplying product thereto, first and second valve members slidably mounted on said head member for reciprocat ing movement relative to said head member and relative to each other in a direction lengthwise of said path, said first and second valve members extending across the open lower end of said chamber to form a relatively slidable closure for the lower end of the chamber, said first and second valve members having means operative when the valve members are moved relative to each other to a first relative position and define a dispensing port therethrough and operative when the valve members are moved relative to each other to a second relative position to close said dispensing port, valve operating means operated in timed relation with said conveyor means and cyclically operative to sequentially: relatively move said first and second valve members to said first relative position thereof to define said dispensing port; then move said first and second valve members while in said fist relative position thereof in a forward direction relative to said stationary head member along said path in a forward dispensing stroke which is longer than the length of said dispensing port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path and at a speed to maintain the dispensing port in register with a container advanced by said conveyor means; then rel atively move said first and second valve members to said second relative position thereof closing said dispensing port; and thereafter move said first and second valve members while in said second relative position relative to said stationary head member in a direction opposite said forward direction in a return stroke, said filler chamber having a length that is long as compared to the length of said dispensing port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path to feed product to said dispensing port during said forward dispensing stroke. =l=

- @7 3 UNITED STATES PATENT omcE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,762, +5l Dated October 2, .1973

Inventor-(s) Ralph F. Anderson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that seid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 85 line 33, "said" should be omitted; Column 8, line 5%, "memeber" should be member Column 12, line 5, "fist" should be first Signed and sealed this 26th day of February 197L (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD MQFIETCHER R. A HALL DANN- Attesting Offi I Commlssloner of Patents 

1. In an apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in uniform succession in a forward direction along a path and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location therealong aNd having a product supply passage therein, a first valve member having at least one discharge valve port therein and slidably mounted on said stationary head member for reciprocatory movement relative thereto forwardly and rearwardly respectively in said forward direction of movement of the containers and opposite said forward direction, said stationary head member and said first valve member having chamber means at the adjacent faces thereof communicating said discharge valve port and said product supply passage during reciprocatory movement of said first valve member relative to the stationary head member and providing a sliding seal between said stationary head member and said first valve member around said chamber means, a second valve member mounted for movement relative to said first valve member and relative to said stationary head member between an open position uncovering said discharge valve port and a closed position closing said discharge valve port, and valve operating means operated in timed relation with said conveyor means and cyclically operative to sequentially: relatively move said first and second valve members to said open position; then move said first and second valve members while in said open position thereof forwardly relative to said stationary head member in a forward stroke which is longer than the length of the discharge valve port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path at a rate to maintain said discharge valve port in register with an open top container advanced by said conveyor means; then relatively move said first and second valve members to said closed position; and thereafter move said first and second valve members while in said closed position thereof rearwardly relative to said head member in a return stroke.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member between said open and closed positions in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first valve member.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve member is slidable in said forward direction relative to said first valve member to said closed position and is slidable in the opposite direction relative to the first valve to said open position.
 4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member and is slidable relative thereto in a direction paralleling said path.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first valve member has plural discharge valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the conveyor means a distance approximating the pitch of the containers along the conveyor means, said second valve member being operative in said open position to uncover said plural discharge valve ports and in said closed position to close said plural discharge valve ports.
 6. In an apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in said uniform succession in a forward direction along a path and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location therealong and having a product supply passage therein, a first valve member having at least one discharge valve port therein and slidably mounted on said stationary head member for reciprocatory movement relative thereto forwardly and rearwardly respectively in said forward direction of movement of the containers and opposite said forward direction, said stationary head member and first valve member having chamber means at the adjacent faces thereof communicating said discharge valve port and said product supply passage during reciprocatory movement of said first valve member relative to the stationary head member and providing a sliding seal between said stationary head member and said first valve member around said chamber means, a second valve member mounted for sliding movEment relative to said first valve memeber and relative to said stationary head member and having at least one control valve port therein, and valve operating means operated in timed relation with the movement of said conveyor means for cyclically moving said first and second valve members first relative to each other to a position in which said discharge valve port and control valve port are in register; secondly substantially in union relative to said stationary head member in said forward direction with said discharge valve port and control valve port in register in a forward stroke to dispense product into a moving container; thirdly relative to each other to a closed position in which said discharge valve port and control valve port are out of register, and thereafter substantially in union relative to said stationary head member in a direction opposite said forward direction with said discharge valve port and control port out of register to interrupt dispensing of product during the return stroke of the valve members.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first and second valve members relative to said head between a position in which said discharge valve port and control valve port are in register and a position in which said discharge valve port and control valve ports are out of register.
 8. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member and is slidable forwardly relative to said first valve member from a position in which the discharge port and control valve port are in register to a position in which the discharge valve port and control valve port are out of register.
 9. The combination of claim 6 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first valve member relative to the head, said valve operating means including means connected to said second valve member for reciprocating the second valve member in forward and return movements relatively longer than said forward and return strokes of said valve members, means for moving said first valve member with said second valve member during a portion of each of the forward and return movements of said second valve member, and means for interrupting movement of said first valve member with the second valve member before the latter reaches the end of its forward and return movements to move the second valve member relative to the first valve member.
 10. The combination of claim 9 including product measuring means communicating with said product supply passage operative in timed relation with the movement of said first valve member for feeding a measured quantity of product to said head during said forward stroke of said valve members.
 11. The combination of claim 6 wherein said first valve member has plural discharge valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the conveyor means approximating the pitch of the containers along the conveyor means, and said second valve member has plural control valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the conveyor means a distance approximating the spacing of said discharge valve ports.
 12. In an apparatus for dispensing a fluent product into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in succession in a forward direction along a path, and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location thereabove, said head member having at least one downwardly opening filler chamber and product supply means communicating with said chamber for supplying product thereto, a first valve member slidably mounted for reciprocatory movement relative to said stationary head member forwardly and rearwardly respectiVely in said forward direction of movement of the containers and opposite said forward direction, said first valve member extending across said downwardly opening filler chamber and having a sliding seal with said head member, said first valve member having at least one discharge valve port therein arranged to communicate with said filler chamber as said first valve member is moved relative to said head, a second valve member mounted for movement relative to said first valve member and relative to said stationary head between an open position uncovering said discharge valve port and a closed position closing said discharge valve port, and valve operating means cyclically operated in timed relation with said conveyor means and cyclically operative to sequentially: relatively move said first and second valve members to said open position; then move said first and second valve members while in said open position thereof in said forward direction relative to said stationary head member in a forward dispensing stroke which is longer than the length of the discharge valve port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path and at a rate to maintain the discharge valve port in register with an open top container advanced by the conveyor means; then relatively move said first and second valve members to said closed position; and thereafter move said first and second valve members while in said closed position thereof relative to said stationary head member in a direction opposite said forward direction in a return stroke.
 13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said second valve member is slidable relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of said first valve member.
 14. The combination of claim 12 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member and is slidable relative to the first valve member between said open and closed positions.
 15. The combination of claim 12 wherein said second valve member is mounted for sliding movement relative to said first valve member in a direction paralleling the direction of movement of the first valve member and said valve operating means is operated to move said second valve member in said forward direction relative to said first valve member to its closed position and operative to move said second valve member in a direction opposite said forward direction relative to said first valve member to said open position.
 16. The combination of claim 15 wherein said second valve member underlies said first valve member.
 17. The combination of claim 12 wherein said valve operating means includes crank means rotated in timed relation with said conveyor means.
 18. The combination of claim 12 wherein said first valve member has plural discharge valve ports therein spaced apart in a direction paralleling the conveyor means a distance approximating the pitch of the containers on the conveyor means, said second valve member being operative in said open position thereof to uncover all of said discharge valve ports and in said closed position thereof to close all of said discharge valve ports.
 19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said stationary head member has plural filler chambers arranged to communicate with corresponding said discharge valve ports in the first valve member and separate product supply means communicate with each of said filler chambers.
 20. In an apparatus for dispensing fluent product into moving containers including conveyor means for advancing open top containers in uniform succession in a forward direction along a path and filler means disposed above said path, the improvement wherein said filler means includes a stationary head member mounted in overlying relation to said conveyor means at a fixed location therealong and having at least one downwardly opening filler chamber and product supply means communicating with said filler chamber for supplying product thereto, first and second valve members slidably mounted on said head member for reciprocAting movement relative to said head member and relative to each other in a direction lengthwise of said path, said first and second valve members extending across the open lower end of said chamber to form a relatively slidable closure for the lower end of the chamber, said first and second valve members having means operative when the valve members are moved relative to each other to a first relative position and define a dispensing port therethrough and operative when the valve members are moved relative to each other to a second relative position to close said dispensing port, valve operating means operated in timed relation with said conveyor means and cyclically operative to sequentially: relatively move said first and second valve members to said first relative position thereof to define said dispensing port; then move said first and second valve members while in said fist relative position thereof in a forward direction relative to said stationary head member along said path in a forward dispensing stroke which is longer than the length of said dispensing port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path and at a speed to maintain the dispensing port in register with a container advanced by said conveyor means; then relatively move said first and second valve members to said second relative position thereof closing said dispensing port; and thereafter move said first and second valve members while in said second relative position relative to said stationary head member in a direction opposite said forward direction in a return stroke, said filler chamber having a length that is long as compared to the length of said dispensing port measured in a direction lengthwise of said path to feed product to said dispensing port during said forward dispensing stroke. 